Putter Deals - Secrets to Buying or Getting What You Want

[Desmond]

From being a small-time participant on various forums, I've learned a few things about buying equipment - let's talk about putters.

Any secrets or insight out there you wouldn't mind sharing? Or sources for refinishing?

A few here --

1. Dave Curry at Big Oak Putters puts his hand made, hand milled tour samples on sale in October at the end of the season for about 60% off retail. They look brand new.  www.bigoakputters.com

2. TP Mills - www.tpmillsputters.com   David Mills has an OTR lineup of four models - you can specify length, lie, loft for $255 at head weights that range from 348g-360g in the various models. Jay Green runs the site. You can specify carbon or stainless steel. You can ask Jay for a few custom items like tour black satin finish for a few more bucks.

3. Someone knowledgeable with Mentor, please mention his special deals - he is generous to members here and has innovative designs.

4. I know some will buy an old Scotty on the cheap and send it to Cameron for refinishing and customization and then sell the headcover Scotty sends to offset the cost. Maybe someone will give details as to cost, etc. or a reference.

5. Tom Slighter also does customs at www.slightergolf.com for a starting price in the range of $325+. He also does great refinishing work. You can see his refinishing photos on his site. Just don't ask him to put copyrighted stampings or patented grooves on your putters - the Scotty people will scream (as they should) and it is in poor taste. lol.

6. While I am not familiar with his work, I've seen Byron Putters pop up on various sites -- http://www.byronputters.com

7. Another small shop is http://www.edelgolf.com/  Edel Putters -- they have fitting professionals in several high class locations - Pebble Beach is one fitting location.

8. Kevin Burns - you once heard a lot about his designs - very angular - and while he's been in hibernation for a time, word is that he is coming out with a new line this spring http://www.kbgolf.com/pages/home.html  His current line is a little light in the head for me - 328g.

9. I once owned about three Bettinardi Putters -- bought two of them on ebay. That is where you find a deal on used Betts. I know that Bett once had a great deal on refinishing their putters - it was less than $80 to refinish the head, new shaft, new grip. That deal is no longer applicable as they've gone Scotty (see expensive) See  http://www.bettinardi.com/studiob/customization.php 
They also have  a Studio B Fitting Location at their HQ in which you can try out what they have, get your stroke with various putters videoed, and they will adjust your selection to get optimum performance. Call to check out pricing but it starts at $400. It is less than TKS from what I've heard -- and you get fitted. But still, it's not a great deal. Even though I am tempted to find a BB1 Short Slant in Black Thunder Finish - sorry, ummm, that sounds so metrosexual.

[rcain1us]

From being a small-time participant on various forums, I've learned a few things about buying equipment - let's talk about putters.

Any secrets or insight out there you wouldn't mind sharing? Or sources for refinishing?

A few here --

1. Dave Curry at Big Oak Putters puts his hand made, hand milled tour samples on sale in October at the end of the season for about 60% off retail. They look brand new.  www.bigoakputters.com

2. TP Mills - www.tpmillsputters.com   David Mills has an OTR lineup of four models - you can specify length, lie, loft for $255 at head weights that range from 348g-360g in the various models. Jay Green runs the site. You can specify carbon or stainless steel. You can ask Jay for a few custom items like tour black satin finish for a few more bucks.

3. Someone knowledgeable with Mentor, please mention his special deals - he is generous to members here and has innovative designs.

4. I know some will buy an old Scotty on the cheap and send it to Cameron for refinishing and customization and then sell the headcover Scotty sends to offset the cost.

I have done this and it does work. You can take it a step further if you have the means to blow a grip off, you can get the latest cameron crazy grip and resell it as well or take it a step further and see what the latest crazy headcover is selling for. You can buy the custome shop grip and hc for an aditional fee with a restore but it usually a lot less then you can sell them for on ebay. You just have to shell out additional cash up front.

[99Luftballoons]

Great info. Moojo for you Mr. Swingman.

[GC7]

Kevin Colbert at putterplating.com does a great job refinishing putters and much cheaper then Cameron. He rquires the head only but the work is awesome.

He did my Newport TEI with a nickel plate and added a sightline and initials. It came out great and the insert was left alone to maintain feel.

Check his website if interested.

[rcain1us]

Kevin Colbert at putterplating.com does a great job refinishing putters and much cheaper then Cameron. He rquires the head only but the work is awesome.

He did my Newport TEI with a nickel plate and added a sightline and initials. It came out great and the insert was left alone to maintain feel.

Check his website if interested.

I am sure he does good work, but I looked at some other refinishing companies before sending to Cameron.

Most would refinish the head for around $50-65.

But, once I did the math, for about $90 net (after shipping and selling the new head cover that came with it) I got the head refinished to original Pro Platinum, a new SC shaft and grip installed and custom paintfill - and it is still worth more if I decide to sell it someday.

[Twohey]

Nice summary, thanks and have some mooj for the effort!

As for Slighter -- Tom is awesome to deal with and there's something to be said about having that much flexibility and choise in customizing your own putter -- the hard part is know what you want and making a decision!

For those (righties) that didn't notice, David Mills' site was recently updated.  He's put about 31 Tour and Shop Designs on sale...  He also put another limited series up, but i forgot what they were called.

[burns9304]

I've been bugging Kevin Burns for well over a year about getting another custom 9304.  He last told me that he will be introducing a new line at the Merchandise show, but I'll believe it once I see it.  He makes some of the greatest putters out there, but he seems to be a bit of a slacker.

[rcain1us]

I've been bugging Kevin Burns for well over a year about getting another custom 9304.  He last told me that he will be introducing a new line at the Merchandise show, but I'll believe it once I see it.  He makes some of the greatest putters out there, but he seems to be a bit of a slacker.

I almost bought a Burns 9303 a few weeks ago but I was a little skeptical about the light weight. They are definitely reasonably priced compared to some.

[Desmond]

Nice summary, thanks and have some mooj for the effort!

As for Slighter -- Tom is awesome to deal with and there's something to be said about having that much flexibility and choise in customizing your own putter -- the hard part is know what you want and making a decision!

For those (righties) that didn't notice, David Mills' site was recently updated.  He's put about 31 Tour and Shop Designs on sale...  He also put another limited series up, but i forgot what they were called.

Yes, at www.tpmills.com

But I understand the ho's at golfwrx where Jay Green spends a lot of time snapped up a lot of the putters - some guy bought about 4 of them. And he put out a Holiday Series in the Soft Tail -- but I don't like snow on my bumpers and heel-toe areas -- too distracting. I think a putter ought to be a functional piece of art -- but that's just me. I hope David sells them quickly and begins work on my Custom soon.

As to Tom Slighter, he is very easy to deal with and great at communicating with you. I putted very, very well with his stick but changed my putting stroke to an Utley Style. Eventually, I will get another Slighter. His Portland is a nice take off on Scotty's 009. I'll just get him to shave the plumber's neck for a sleeker look.

[burns9304]

I almost bought a Burns 9303 a few weeks ago but I was a little skeptical about the light weight. They are definitely reasonably priced compared to some.

If you keep an eye out you might be able to find a 350 gram 9303.  A 350 gram 9303 will have a completely flat cavity, versus the 327 gram which has a ridge.  Just an FYI.

[xxio]

If you keep an eye out you might be able to find a 350 gram 9303.  A 350 gram 9303 will have a completely flat cavity, versus the 327 gram which has a ridge.  Just an FYI.

That is very good info. There is one guy I know with the flat cavity for sale. I have to talk the guy down in price. I never really knew this meant a different weight. Any such other info on the other shapes.

[burns9304]

If you keep an eye out you might be able to find a 350 gram 9303.  A 350 gram 9303 will have a completely flat cavity, versus the 327 gram which has a ridge.  Just an FYI.

That is very good info. There is one guy I know with the flat cavity for sale. I have to talk the guy down in price. I never really knew this meant a different weight. Any such other info on the other shapes.

Here is something that holds for all KB models:  If there is only a model number on the face and no signature or KB logo, the putter is a proto.  For example my proto 347 gram 9304 has a completely flat back with only "9304" stamped on the face.

[XtremeCruiser]

10. Ebay

[Charlie_Foxtrot]

For the Cameron refinishing, how bad of shape can the putter be in before you send it in?

What should I expect to pay for a beat up Scotty? (ballpark)

[Desmond]

For the Cameron refinishing, how bad of shape can the putter be in before you send it in?

What should I expect to pay for a beat up Scotty? (ballpark)

A TP Mills will still be less expensive and a bonus -- much sweeter.

[rcain1us]

For the Cameron refinishing, how bad of shape can the putter be in before you send it in?

What should I expect to pay for a beat up Scotty? (ballpark)

I bought my Mid-Slant on the bay for $90.

I also bought a similarly priced Newport 2, Bullseye flange and Studio - once I settled on the Mid-Slant I sold of the others for what I paid and made a coupld of bucks on one of them.

It had a couple of good sized dings along the bottom line and one on the face and numerous chatter marks on the topline. I played with it as is for awhile and then a raining stretch and a night spent in my truck led to a total rusting on the head from the larger dings in the PP finish. I tooth-pasted the the rust off but decided on the refinish.

The full package is $110 and includes new shaft, choice of specs (loft, lie, length) custome paintfill colors (I went with Penn State Blue and White), grip of choice and headcover of choice.

Add $20 shipping each way. I sold off the HC and got $30 back.

Unfortunately I don't have an actual picture of mine before, this is after:

[XtremeCruiser]

For the Cameron refinishing, how bad of shape can the putter be in before you send it in?

What should I expect to pay for a beat up Scotty? (ballpark)

A TP Mills will still be less expensive and a bonus -- much sweeter.

The options with a custom TP Mills vs a oem make it a no brainer for the price.

[Charlie_Foxtrot]

For the Cameron refinishing, how bad of shape can the putter be in before you send it in?

What should I expect to pay for a beat up Scotty? (ballpark)

A TP Mills will still be less expensive and a bonus -- much sweeter.

The options with a custom TP Mills vs a oem make it a no brainer for the price.

No reason I can't (eventually) have both, is there?   

[rcain1us]

For the Cameron refinishing, how bad of shape can the putter be in before you send it in?

What should I expect to pay for a beat up Scotty? (ballpark)

A TP Mills will still be less expensive and a bonus -- much sweeter.

The options with a custom TP Mills vs a oem make it a no brainer for the price.

Agreed - if you know what you want

At the time I didn't so I found it easier to buy several easier to find SC and try them all knowing I would not lose any money in the process.

Now that I know what I like I will definitely look at the custom guys if I need another.

[drewspin]

#1 - This thread should be a sticky in the Putters forum!  Moojo to Swing Man.

#2 - There will be a formal announcement forthcoming - along with GD sponsorship  - but I'm pleased to say that I am going to be partnering with Steve Zastrow as the exclusive distributor for Byron putters in North America. We'll be rolling out our new company soon and we look forward regular deals for GD members on Byron's superb hand-crafted flatsticks.  More on that later when everything is up and running.

Cheers!
Drew

[MentorSports]

#1 - This thread should be a sticky in the Putters forum!  Moojo to Swing Man.

#2 - There will be a formal announcement forthcoming - along with GD sponsorship  - but I'm pleased to say that I am going to be partnering with Steve Zastrow as the exclusive distributor for Byron putters in North America. We'll be rolling out our new company soon and we look forward regular deals for GD members on Byron's superb hand-crafted flatsticks.  More on that later when everything is up and running.

Cheers!
Drew

I think most people in this forum aren't even aware of what a putter is, let alone know about the Putter Forum. They just use a Geek DCT and forward press to take out the loft.

[Hungsolo]

#1 - This thread should be a sticky in the Putters forum!  Moojo to Swing Man.

#2 - There will be a formal announcement forthcoming - along with GD sponsorship  - but I'm pleased to say that I am going to be partnering with Steve Zastrow as the exclusive distributor for Byron putters in North America. We'll be rolling out our new company soon and we look forward regular deals for GD members on Byron's superb hand-crafted flatsticks.  More on that later when everything is up and running.

Cheers!
Drew

I think most people in this forum aren't even aware of what a putter is, let alone know about the Putter Forum. They just use a Geek DCT and forward press to take out the loft.

Thanks for a great idea Chin!!  now I can get down to 12 clubs...  Can you design some weight bars to fit in the grooves of my DCT putter?

moojo +

[Desmond]

Speaking of custom putters, I came across a new site -- 


www.350milled.com

Looks like it is under construction.

Whoops --  thanks Charlie -- yes, if  you are at work, push enter site very quickly or turn down the volume...


As to what is needed and to finding what type of putter you need, I'd try a fitting studio -- Dana Upshaw, MadMax has a Super Sam machine, etc., other places I know have close up video of your putting stroke and contact -- that can tell you a lot about what fits you and your stroke if the shop has different putters, necks, offset, heads, etc.....

[Charlie_Foxtrot]

Speaking of custom putters, I came across a new site -- 


www.350milled.com

Looks like it is under construction.

^^^^ warning, loud music.

[Desmond]

Speaking of custom putters, I came across a new site -- 


www.350milled.com

Looks like it is under construction.

^^^^ warning, loud music.

Thanks, Charlie. When you work at home, you forget about practicalities.

Don't know who mills the 350milled Putters -- At first, they will only be carbon steel, only plumber necks, 350 g heads only, Nippon Shafts, Iomic Grips, They probably won't be out for a couple of months with the first batch to get reaction, then they will have more....